A woman has been curshed to death and several vehicles damaged as a Kaduna-Abuja bound train crashed with several vehicles around 10am on Thursday at Kubwa, Abuja.
The unfortunate incident occurred around 10am on Thursday after train services was restored along the Abuja- Kaduna corridor which was shut down for about eight months after bandits attacked the train on March 28th, 20022 where at least eight people were killed and about 63 persons abducted.
It was gathered that the Abuja-bound train crashed into a moving Toyota Corolla at Chikakore, in the Kubwa leading to a breakdown of the train that lasted for over 40minutes after which onboard engineers rectified the damages caused by the crash and moved it to safety.
The remains of the victim whose name could not be obtained as at the time of filling this report, have been evacuated by security personnel while the damaged vehicles were immediately removed from the rail track in order not to constitute further nuisance to road users.
An eye witness reported that the incident occurred about five minutes to the Kubwa Train Station, while the woman who was driving in her private vehicle attempted to cross the rail line as the train was coming on high speed.
The victim’s car was seen crossing the rail tracks to the opposite side of the road when a moving train rammed into the car, grounding both the train and car to a wrecking halt.
Another eyewitness known as Olisa Ogbechie, according to a post on his Twitter handle said, “the police used force to chase people, who wanted to help away from the scene.
“In an attempt to rescue the victim by first responders and also cover the incident, the policemen at the scene, on-board the train became hostile.
“I and a few others were brutally assaulted by the policemen as they hit and sprayed pepper spray in my eyes and two others, they pointed guns as they harassed us away from the scene,” he said.
Another eye witness, James Osaretin said the woman who is yet to be identified got stocked on the rail track and while they were trying to rescue her, Policemen at the scene discarded them .
“A lot people who were trying to rescue the woman were beaten by Policemen. I had to run for my dare my life.
A statement by Spokesperson, FCT police command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident as well as the killing of the driver.
She said, “Upon receipt of the information Crime scene investigators attached to the Byazin Divisional Police Headquarters drifted swiftly to the scene, took charge of the situation, where the victim was confirmed dead by medical practitioner on ground,” reads the statement from Ms Adeh. “Investigation has commenced by the Rail way division having jurisdiction over the track.”
“Findings and safety tips already existing will be reiterated to ensure a non-repeat of incident shortly,” the statement concluded.
She said that existing safety tips will again be disseminated to prevent the unfortunate accident from reoccurring.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Railway Corporation Yakubu Mahmoud when contacted by our reporter said that he is not in a position to comment on the matter even as the Abuja Station Manger of NRC, Pascal Nnoli did not pick his calls nor respond to WhatsApp messages.
END
